Lady Raiders draw away from Alliance, 56-50

Even though his team wasn’t setting the world on fire at the free-throw line, Sidney High School girls basketball coach Tyler Shaw had to appreciate how they were getting there.

Despite making a deplorable 10 of 27 foul shots, the Lady Raiders (16-6) closed out the regular season with a 56-50 victory against Alliance (10-11) at Cabela’s Athletic Facility.

Sidney ran off a 9-2 run midway through the fourth period to settle an issue that probably dragged on for way too long, considering SHS’s chances with the clock stopped.

“If we are going to do something in playoff basketball,” Shaw said. “We’re going to have to find something that works for us from the free-throw line, or we are not going to go very far. At least we’re getting fouled and not settling on jump shots.”

Sidney refused to back off from its game plan of attacking the basket, and using its defense to get bunny opportunities.

However, the Lady Bulldogs, using the likes of Morgan Anthony and Andri Halouska, grabbed a 15-9 lead after a quarter, before Sidney rallied late in the first half to grab a 23-20 edge on a Jeni Heeren offensive rebound and Kylee Price score following a turnover.

By halftime, Alliance was in foul trouble, with standouts Shae Brennan and Olivia Vogel both having three personals.

“At least we attacked the basket all night while they were pressing in the half-court,” Shaw said. We were fortunate to get Olivia and Shea into foul trouble. I know (head coach) Nathan Lanik, and those are his two best players, and he had to have them on the floor.”

And while the Lady Bulldogs’ duo was on the floor, things were still good for Alliance, even through the fouls were still piling up.

Shea Brennan fouled out in the final minute of the third period, which ended with Alliance still on top, 35-32.

Vogel later exited in the fourth period.

Sarah Mahr, the beneficiary of numerous runouts and layups, scored two of her game-high 20 points on a breakaway score with 5:33 remaining, that gave Sidney the lead for good, 40-38.

But the Lady Raiders weren’t done; Morgan Linneman scored two straight baskets, and the padding was good enough until the final surge came along.

Heeren hit a pair of free throws, Karissa Segelke scored twice, and the Raiders wound up with a 56-46 lead in the final two minutes.

“I was proud of the way we attacked in the four quarters,” Shaw said.

Shaw credited Mahr’s speed with opening up transition opportunities.

“Sarah has good speed with the basketball,” Shaw said. “Once she breaks free, she is hard to stop.”

Mahr had 20 points, Segelke 17 in her final home appearance for Sidney.

Morgan had 11, Halouska 10 for Alliance.

Sidney is idle until next Thursday, when, as a No. 2 seed, it meets third-seeded Gering, at 7:30 p.m. in the second semifinal game of the Scottsbluff B-6 District at Western Nebraska Community College.

The winner will likely face top seed McCook next Friday for the championship.

Sidney 56, Alliance 50

ALLIANCE (10-11)

Morgan 4 3-7 11, DBrennan 0 2-2 2, Campbell 1 0-0 2, Halouska 4 2-4 10, SBrennan 3 2-3 8, k. Trout 1 2-3 4, Vogel 6 1-1 13. Totals 19 12-21 50

SIDNEY (16-6)

Mahr 9 2-2 20, Segelke 7 3-9 17, Price 1 1-3 3, Rowley 1 0-1 2, Linneman 3 2-4 8, Heeren 2 2-8 6. Totals 23 10-27 56

Alliance 15 5 15 15—50

Sidney 9 14 9 24—56

3-point goals — None. Team fouls — Alliance 25, Sidney 15. SBrennan, Vogel.